Saliva ejector



N. B. RIDDLE SALIVA EJECTOR Oct. 15, 1929..

Filed Oct. 20, 1927 gnmntoz M :5!

firm new Patented Oct. 15, 1929 NAPOLEON B. RIDDLE, OF ST. FRANCISVILLE, LOUISIANA:

SALIVA EJ'EGTOR Application filed October 20, 1927. Serial No. 227,483.

The invention relates to saliva ejectors and particularly to the applicator tubes for application to the mouth of the patient.

The common practice of dentists and surgeons operating on the mouth is to provide an ejector for the saliva that secretes into the mouth and would otherwise cause discomfort to the patient, the applicator tube being usually made of glass for sterilization.

There is danger, however, of infection from the use of such applicator tubes and individual applicator tubes have heretofore been provided made of paper. The disadvantage of such tubes has been found to be that where the applicator tube remains in the mouth through a lengthy operation the paper is softened by the saliva and stops the flow of the saliva through the tube and if not noticed the patient is inconvenienced endangering the successful outcome of the operation.

This invention has for its object the provision of an improved applicator tube made of a non-fibrous material, preferably rubber, and having a reinforcement of a strand of flexible material preferably coiled to engage the inner walls of the tube and to distend the tube, the reinforcement member being of sutlicient length to hold the tube in any shape that it her 'iafter and will be found illustrated in ccompanying drawings in which Figure is a side view partly in section =cved saliva ejector,

are a is a similar view showing a modiform of reinforcement, and

. lied Figure 3 shows a modified means for con;

necting the applicator tube to the suction tube.

Referring to the drawings the suction tube of the saliva ejector apparatus is suggested at A. The applicator tube 1 is made preferably of rubber but any other suitable material such as celluloid may be substituted may be formed to accommodate, I the applicator tube to the individual patient. 1

therefor. As shown in Figure 1 the applicator tube 1 is connected with the suction tube A by means of a connecting tube 2 adapted to be inserted in the end of the suction tube A and having a reduced outerend 3 to engage in the adjacent end of the applicator tube 1. 4 indicates a reinforcing member for the tube 1, that in Figure 1 is shown to be in the form of a coil that snugly engages the inner wall of the applicator tube 1 to hold it distended or may be as shown in Figure 2 of a straight strand of material designated 4. The reinforcing member 4 or a is made preferably of a flexible metal, such for instance as copper, steel or of any other suitable flexible material, the reinforcing member being as stated with regard to the form in Figure 1 to hold the tube 1 in a distended condition at all times and to also hold the tube in any shape in which it may be formed for convenient application to the mouth of the patient for ejecting saliva. The tube 1 is also provided with holes 5 adjacent to its outer end through which the saliva may also be drawn in addition to the opening at the end of the tube, it being understood that any number of openings may be provided for the purpose stated.

What is claimed is 1. A saliva ejector, comprising a tube of flexible material, and a reinforcement for said tube consisting of a coiled strand of flexible material, the coils of said strand engaging the inner wall of and distending said tube.

2. A saliva ejector, comprising a tube of rubber, and a reinforcement for said tube consisting of a coiled strand of flexible metal, the coils of said strand engaging the inner wall of and distending said tube.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature NAPOLEON B. RIDDLE. 

